India's first hydrogen-powered train may run on the heritage Kalka-Shimla railway line by the
end of this year and late expanded to more locations. The Union Railway Minister had made an
announcement to this effect recently.
The train will run on hydrogen fuel, which is a green fuel with zero carbon emission. Three
hydrogen gas stations will be established at Shimla, Barog and Kalka railway stations. As per
the government, the hydrogen train project has been expedited and is expected to be completed
by December this year.
Mandeep Bhatia, Divisional Railway Manager, Ambala division, Northern Railways, told The
Tribune, “We have already started work on the project. An estimated budget of Rs 870 crore
has been earmarked for the hydrogen train project on the Kalka-Shimla railway line. Three
hydrogen gas stations will be established and the train with seven coaches is expected to run
on the line by the end of this year.”
He said, “The hydrogen train will run on the narrow gauge line at a higher speed of 27 kmph
from the present train’s speed of between 22 kmph and 25 kmph. It will also give a fillip to
tourism in the state.”
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